Remi Matthews has joined Norwich City’s Championship rivals Bolton on loan - with a view to a permanent move in January.

The Canaries confirmed the surprise move on Sunday afternoon, with Matthews cutting his ties with the club after 14-years coming through the junior ranks.

The 24-year-old Gorleston-bred keeper had seen Tim Krul brought in as a first choice at Carrow Road in recent weeks, after vying with Michael McGovern to replace Angus Gunn during the club’s pre-season build up.

Matthews previously impressed in loan stints with Hamilton and Plymouth but has yet to make a senior appearance at Championship level.

The keeper’s departure leaves Krul and Michael McGovern as the only senior recognised stoppers on the books but City have until August 31 to bring in a loan option.

“Delighted,” Matthews told Bolton’s official site. “It is a massive club and a no brainer for me when it first came around. They are going places and that is the main thing. To come to a football club with ambition.

“After being at Norwich for so long this is a change of scenery but this is a massive club, which has been in the Premier League. That is obviously the long term aim - to get back there.

“It was a tough decision being at Norwich for 14 years. A hard one but one I had to make. We sat down as a family and this was the best thing to move my career forward. I have played in Scotland and a few games in League One and I want to show people I am good enough to play in the Championship.

“At Plymouth I did well there but I needed to take a step up. When we went there it was a tough place but to go from bottom to just outside the play-offs was unbelievable and a good experience for me. To eventually get a Championship game under my belt will be massive for me and my confidence.

“I know there is competition for places here but you can’t beat that. You need people to push you and I can push Ben (Alnwick) I have heard good things about him and look forward to training with him. I know Yanic (Wildschut) from Norwich and he spoke very highly of the boys.”

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